Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a chest that is broad and thick, often implying a large or powerful thoracic cavity.
   • Describing a physical build where the chest is notably wide and substantial from front to back.

Usage

• This adjective is used to describe the physical build of a person or animal, typically emphasizing strength, robustness, or a specific breed standard.
• It is often used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb).

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • He was a deep-chested man with a powerful voice.
  • The deep-chested horse was well-suited for pulling heavy loads.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • The guard dog was deep-chested and intimidating.
  • This breed of cattle is characteristically deep-chested.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Nuance: The term often carries connotations of strength, endurance, or a capacity for powerful breathing, which is why it is frequently used for working animals, athletes, or in heroic descriptions.
  • The opera singer's deep-chested voice filled the hall. (Here, the adjective metaphorically links the physical trait to a vocal quality.)
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: While less common, the forms and can be used for comparison.
  • Among the draft horses, the Percheron is the deepest-chested.

Variants and Related Words

• Broad-chested (adj): Similar in meaning, emphasizing width more than depth.
• Barrel-chested (adj): A near-synonym, often used interchangeably to describe a rounded, large chest.
• Chesty (adj, informal): Can describe someone with a prominent chest, though it is less formal and can have other connotations.

Synonyms

• Barrel-chested
• Thick-chested
• Broad-chested

Antonyms

• Shallow-chested
• Narrow-chested
• Flat-chested

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Deep-chested breed: A common collocation in animal husbandry and dog shows.
  • The Newfoundland is a deep-chested breed, which requires awareness of certain health risks.
• Deep-chested build/physique: Used to describe a person's or animal's overall body structure.
  • His deep-chested physique was ideal for a swimmer.

Adjective

1. thick in the chest
   • a deep-chested breed of dog